Govergence in Bacolod City
‘Govergence’ in Bacolod
Each year, we grow in number. And each year, we all grow as people, working for this nation which seem to be divided not only by the waters of its islands but by vision. Yet I see this diversity among us, as something worthy. More than the opportunity to practice stretching patience to the limits, diversity provides us a platform to meld all colors into a giant rainbow.
The gathering of all career service officers in Bacolod City has once again reinforced my belief that no matter how our brains are all clogged with the demands of our work, we can step back and breathe. We are given the privilege to hold hands, hug, talk with our mouths full, with and to our colleagues without judgement. We take in shared knowledge and rich experiences, all eager to listen and much more, to speak. To talk about the million things a development manager in government has in mind, with people who will understand. Some may appear to refuse to open their eyes and ears to what is shared, but I am certain all of us ‘get it’: a smile offered when one passes by a hallway running off from one learning session to another; a firm handshake every now and then; squeals of delight by the sight of colleagues probably met just a day before or with those whom years of service have formed this unique bond and brotherhood of some sort. The little things which most of us see as routine, the past days I saw as profound. Thank God for civil servants.
In the middle of all these thoughts I have of the past week, are men and women of the Career Executive Service Board, who were on their feet, vigilant, speaking so calmly on mobiles and handies, making sure all activities are done, all plans executed in precise and perfect fashion, as only Ma’am Tonette, ‘the’ Executive Director, would settle for. They up the ante every year, and they successfully outdo themselves one conference after another.
The CES Board has taken me places where I have never been, body and soul. These men and women, whose unquestionable intellect tempered with kindness, and exceptional patience with us who are labelled often as ‘terrifying’, have touched my life in so many ways. I am thankful to them for many things: for a shot at redemption after years of struggle to regain my self-respect; for the privilege to belong in a community; for recognizing I can take and do tasks and responsibilities given me seriously with the best I have.
My days in Bacolod for afforded me many moments to say, ‘there IS a God’.
Salamat CESOs. Salamat CESBoard.
Each year, we grow in number. And each year, we all grow as people, working for this nation which seem to be divided not only by the waters of its islands but by vision. Yet I see this diversity among us, as something worthy. More than the opportunity to practice stretching patience to the limits, diversity provides us a platform to meld all colors into a giant rainbow.
The gathering of all career service officers in Bacolod City has once again reinforced my belief that no matter how our brains are all clogged with the demands of our work, we can step back and breathe. We are given the privilege to hold hands, hug, talk with our mouths full, with and to our colleagues without judgement. We take in shared knowledge and rich experiences, all eager to listen and much more, to speak. To talk about the million things a development manager in government has in mind, with people who will understand. Some may appear to refuse to open their eyes and ears to what is shared, but I am certain all of us ‘get it’: a smile offered when one passes by a hallway running off from one learning session to another; a firm handshake every now and then; squeals of delight by the sight of colleagues probably met just a day before or with those whom years of service have formed this unique bond and brotherhood of some sort. The little things which most of us see as routine, the past days I saw as profound. Thank God for civil servants.
In the middle of all these thoughts I have of the past week, are men and women of the Career Executive Service Board, who were on their feet, vigilant, speaking so calmly on mobiles and handies, making sure all activities are done, all plans executed in precise and perfect fashion, as only Ma’am Tonette, ‘the’ Executive Director, would settle for. They up the ante every year, and they successfully outdo themselves one conference after another.
The CES Board has taken me places where I have never been, body and soul. These men and women, whose unquestionable intellect tempered with kindness, and exceptional patience with us who are labelled often as ‘terrifying’, have touched my life in so many ways. I am thankful to them for many things: for a shot at redemption after years of struggle to regain my self-respect; for the privilege to belong in a community; for recognizing I can take and do tasks and responsibilities given me seriously with the best I have.
My days in Bacolod for afforded me many moments to say, ‘there IS a God’.
Salamat CESOs. Salamat CESBoard.
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